QuestionQUESTION: The factory equiped tires on my car, a 1996 Infiniti G20, had an 88H load/speed rating. My front tires are rated 88H. If I replace my rear tires with ones rated 88S will that cause a safety or handling problem. I usually set the cruise control at 65 mph. On rare occasions like passing I may go 70 to 75 mph.
ANSWER: David,
It's not a good idea to mix speed ratings within a vehicle.
And it's best to have the best tires in the rear. In this case you have a conflict. The best handling tires are are the ones with the lower tread depth.
If you change to a lower speed rating you're going to lose some of the handling. Also the higher speed rating is more capable. Both of these means that using the lower speed rating is increasing your safety risk.
I don't think you should mix speed rating the way you are considering - and in particular, I think you ought to buy 4 H rated tires.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt reply. Now I have a new question. Why put the best tires on the rear of a front wheel drive vehicle ?
AnswerDavid,
Putting the best tires on the rear is basically this:
If you lose control of the front tires, then you go straight. Usually, whatever it is that caused you to lose control is speed dependent, so slowing down will result in the grip coming back and you'll be in a postion to steer - and drive away.
But if you lose control of the rear tires, the vehicle will swap ends - and you'll still go straight, but backwards. When you slow down, you'll get the grip back, but you won't be able to take advantage of it.
